Adalberto Santiago, Alfredo De La Fé, Alphonse Mouzon, Barry Rogers, Billy Cobham, Bobby Cruz, Bobby Quesada, Bobby Valentin, Boncana Maïga, Cali Aleman, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Eddie Palmieri, Hector Lavoe, Hector Zarzuela, Ismael Miranda, Izzy Sanabria, Jimmy Delgado, Joe Bataan, Johnny Pacheco. Look at that list. These are the kings of salsa. bolero, and so many other genres, with a few legendary jazz folks helping out. The Fania All Continue Reading
Salsa
Various Artists – Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up
Cult Cargo describe this incredible compilation of jazz, funk, salsa and other music far better than I could hope to: “The national dish of Belize is a diverse mixture of ingredients: pig’s tail, potatoes, plantains, bananas, boiled eggs, yams, and whole fish, thrown in a pot and stewed to perfection. Continue Reading
The Brooklyn Sounds – Libre-Free
Though it has tones of underground and perhaps even a type of mafia culture (certainly the imagery of Hector Lavoe records could spread that misconception), salsa is fun music by its very nature. It’s danceable, rather passionate at times, and full of horns. The Brooklyn Sounds are a long-forgotten group Continue Reading
Fusión / Carlos Franzetti – Dedos
This is a ripping split of proto-Acid Jazz! The first band, Fusión, was a jazz fusion band out of Chile, while Carlos Franzetti gained some fame in Argentina. Both funk out the song Dedos wonderfully.
Moncho y Su Banda – Que Bellas Son
El Palmas Records presents a charming band out of Venezuela called Moncho y su Banda, led by Ramón Urbina, who combine salsa, cumbia and chucuchu into a joyous, smoldering disc of fine latin jazz.
Hommy Sanz y Sus Jovenes de Puerto Rico – Jala Jala Mozambique
Homero “Hommy” Sanz was a percussionist and bandleader from Puerto Rico who produced albums full of guaguancó, bolero and boogaloo. The album is a fine example of what was tearing up Puerto Rican airwaves during the 1960s and 1970s. A killer set.
Kalí Rodriguez-Peña – Mélange
Kalí Rodriguez-Peña is a Cuban-American trumpeter who is one of the leading lights of New York’s modern salsa scene. Salsa isn’t a genre that normally gets caught by my radar, but recently I’ve had the chance to explore the works of artists like Johnny Colón, Hector Lavoe and Willie Colón, Continue Reading
SONG OF THE DAY Johnny Colon – Merecumbe
Known and celebrated for his contributions to the boogaloo sounds of the 1960’s, Johnny Colon is an American musician born in ‘El Barrio’ New York … SONG OF THE DAY Johnny Colon – Merecumbe
Various Artists – Color De Tropico Vol 2 Compiled by El Drágon Criollo & El Palmas
Spanish imprint El Palmas Music has released this compilation of music from Venezuela that covers reggae, salsa, soul, cumbia and joropo music. There are two tracks available to listen to until the release date of May 14, 2021, but judging by these, this compilation will be pretty damn good. From Continue Reading